The efficient seeding of cells into porous scaffolds is important in bone tissue engineering techniques. To enhance efficiency, we modified the previously reported cell seeding techniques using low-pressure conditions. In this study, the effects of low pressure on bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) of rats and the usefulness of the ...

We investigate the surface viscoelasticity of beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein spread surface monolayers using a recently discovered method. Step compressions are performed, and the surface pressure is measured as a function of time. This is a common experiment for surface monolayers. However in our experiments the pressure is recorded by two ...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of consuming foods containing oat beta-glucan on blood pressure, carbohydrate homeostasis and biomarkers of oxidative stress. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: The trial was conducted at two clinics. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Ninety-seven men and women with resting systolic blood pressure 130-179 mm ...

To examine whether cardiac hypertrophy is associated with changes in beta-adrenoceptor signal transduction mechanisms, pressure overload (PO) was induced by occlusion of the abdominal aorta and volume overload (VO) by creation of an aortocaval shunt for 4 and 24 wk in rats. After hemodynamic assessment of the animals, the left ...

Increased iron stores have been implicated in the association with increased risk of cardiovascular events. We evaluated whether the abdominal aortic stiffness was altered in the patients with beta-thalassemia major in relation with body iron load. Sixty-two (32 males and 30 females) beta-thalassemia major patients aged 16.47 +/- 4.8 years ...

Carvedilol's adrenergic antagonism does not fully explain its therapeutic actions. We therefore tested the hypothesis that its action is associated with an increase in NO synthesis. Wistar rats (male, 9 weeks, n = 10) anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital were used. Arterial NO concentration ([NO]), determined by chemiluminescence, and mean arterial ...

In the current study, the relationship between objective measurements and subjective experienced comfort and discomfort in using handsaws was examined. Twelve carpenters evaluated five different handsaws. Objective measures of contact pressure (average pressure, pressure area and pressure-time (P-t) integral) in static and dynamic conditions, muscle activity (electromyography) of five muscles ...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the moment when reduced pressure is applied on dye penetration patterns. STUDY DESIGN: Nine hundred and sixty glass capillary tubes of different inner diameter (0.3 mm and 0.8 mm), divided into 48 groups, were submerged into dye in ...

The beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)-AR) agonists clenbuterol and fenoterol have similar beneficial effects in animal models of heart failure. However, large doses of clenbuterol can induce cardiomyocyte death, and it is not known which of these agents has the most favourable therapeutic profile. We have investigated the cardiotoxicity of clenbuterol and fenoterol ...

Beta-blockers are used commonly worldwide in clinical practice for lowering blood pressure. Most of the agents in this class are efficacious in reducing blood pressure, although they vary widely in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. This variability may confer significant differences in clinical benefits associated with use of specific agents. ...

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between ambulatory and clinic blood pressure in assessing antihypertensive response to beta-blockade, to test whether blood pressure response to metoprolol is associated with the heart rate response, and to determine whether exercise and resting heart rate responses to metoprolol are correlated. DESIGN: Post hoc ...

Patients at high risk for hypertension may require several therapeutic agents to lower their blood pressure to guideline-recommended targets. Some antihypertensive agents are more effective than others in protecting against cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Numerous beta-blocking agents have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the ...

[reaction: see text] A readily prepared bimetallic catalyst is capable of effecting epoxide carbonylation to produce beta-lactones at substantially lower CO pressures than previously reported catalyst systems. A functionally diverse array of beta-lactones is produced in excellent yields at CO pressures as low as 1 atm. This procedure allows for ...

beta-Blockers have generally demonstrated smaller reductions in cardiovascular events, compared with other antihypertensive classes, despite similar reductions in blood pressure. This may be due to the ineffectiveness of traditional beta-blockers, such as atenolol, in reducing central aortic pressure, a strong, independent predictor of cardiovascular outcome. However, the beta-blocker class is ...

Mechanosensitive ion channels are thought to initiate pressure-induced vasoconstriction, however, the molecular identity of these channels is unknown. Recent work from our laboratory suggests that members of the Degenerin/Epithelial Na+ Channel (DEG/ENaC) family may be components of the mechanosensitive ion channel complex in vascular smooth muscle (VSM); however, the specific ...

The slope of the log of power versus the log of frequency in the arterial blood pressure (BP) power spectrum is classically considered constant over the low-frequency range (i.e., "fractal" behavior), and is quantified by beta in the relationship "1/f(beta)." In practice, the fractal range cannot extend to indefinitely low ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties of a new beta-adrenergic blocker, nebivolol, and review the literature evaluating its efficacy in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. DATA SOURCES: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1996-May 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-May 2006), using the key word ...

OBJECTIVES: The human beta(1)-adrenergic receptor, an important therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases, has 2 common functional polymorphisms (Ser49Gly and Gly389Arg). Our study aimed to confirm that beta(1)-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms affect the blood pressure response to metoprolol monotherapy in the Chinese population with hypertension. METHODS: beta(1)-Adrenergic receptor genotype was determined by ...

The question of what differentiates physiological from pathological cardiac hypertrophy remains one of the most clinically relevant questions in basic cardiovascular research. The answer(s) to this question will have far-ranging importance in the fight against hypertrophic heart disease and failure. In this issue of the JCI, Perrino et al. have ...

The aim of this study was to determine whether dobutamine, dopamine, or milrinone (a phosphodiesterase [PDE] III inhibitor) would support cardiac function that had been attenuated by administration of the beta-blocker, carvedilol (0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg/kg). Hemodynamic and cardiac parameters including the heart rate (HR), left-ventricular fractional shortening (FS), ...

BACKGROUND: Selective beta adrenergic antagonists are commonly used to reduce myocardial demise in patients at risk for cardiac-related death. The purpose of this study was to examine the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of cardiac selective beta adrenergic blockade in patients. METHODS: Muscle protein kinetics were quantified using isotopic tracer methodology ...

To obtain more extensive bone formation in composites of porous ceramics and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), we hypothesized that a low-pressure system would serve to facilitate the perfusion of larger number of BMSCs into the porous scaffold, enhancing bone formation within the composites. After culturing BMSCs in osteogenic medium, ...

OBJECTIVE: Adrenergic alpha-antagonists have been suggested to confer lesser protection, compared to diuretics, when used as first agents for hypertension. While differences in clinic blood pressure may be partly responsible, this inferiority is unexpected in light of the metabolic advantages of alpha-blockade. The aim of this study was to evaluate ...

Dielectric loss spectra of two glass-forming isomers, eugenol and isoeugenol, measured at ambient and elevated pressures in the normal liquid, supercooled, and glassy states are presented. The isomeric chemical compounds studied differ only by the location of the double bond in the alkyl chain. Above the glass transition temperature T(g), ...

OBJECTIVES: Given that adverse effects of chronic sympathetic activation are mediated by all three adrenergic receptor subtypes (beta1, beta2, alpha1), we examined the effects of standard doses of carvedilol and metoprolol succinate (metoprolol controlled release/extended release [CR/XL]) on hemodynamics, myocardial metabolism, and regional organ perfusion. BACKGROUND: Both beta1 selective and ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the potential of the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor blocker esmolol and the alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine to suppress the cardiovascular and neuroendocrine response to a sympathetic stimulus. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Laboratory of university. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven anesthetized dogs. INTERVENTIONS: Catheters for arterial and ...

Although structural and functional changes of resistance arteries have been proposed to participate in arterial hypertension (HTA) outcome, not all therapies may correct these alterations, even if they normalize the blood pressure (BP). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of the protection afforded by the angiotensin ...

An alpha1-adrenergic receptor (alpha1-AR) antagonist increased heart failure in the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), but it is unknown whether this adverse result was due to alpha1-AR inhibition or a nonspecific drug effect. We studied cardiac pressure overload in mice with double KO of the ...

Among the potential effects of exposure to high levels of radio-frequency energy (RFE) (which includes microwaves), an increase in body temperature is the primary consequence. Release of autacoids and activity of the autonomic nervous system may influence (or be directly responsible for) some of the physiological changes that occur in ...

Non-selective beta blockers are very useful drugs in preventing first variceal bleeding and re-bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. These drugs work in two ways: 1) by blocking beta1 receptors and reducing cardiac output, and 2) by blocking beta2 receptors, producing splanchnic vasoconstriction and reducing portal flow. Consequently, they reduce portal ...

In anaesthetized rabbits, alpha(1)-adrenoceptor stimulation increases the propensity of repolarization-prolonging drugs to induce torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia. However, it is not known whether the stimulation of intracardiac alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, or the increased ventricular stretch caused by extracardiac alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated peripheral vasoconstriction and increased resistance, are the sensitizing factors. Accordingly, this study ...

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of pretreatment with the mixed alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocker, labetalol, on blood pressure instability during surgical resection of pheochromocytoma. METHODS: Blood pressure stability and surgical results were compared between patients in the saline (n = 11) and labetalol (n = 15) groups. Anesthesia was induced ...

Low birth weight in humans is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Humans with heart failure have a reduced beta-adrenergic response. The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic response to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol and to identify molecular deficiencies that may be predictive of cardiac ...

This work describes the effect of the hydrolysis time and pressure (0.1-400 MPa) on the proteolysis of beta-lactoglobulin A (beta-lg A) with trypsin, either conducting hydrolysis of beta-lg under pressure or hydrolysing beta-lg that was previously pressure treated. Pressurisation, before or during enzyme treatments, enhanced tryptic hydrolysis of beta-lg. Trypsin ...

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It has been suggested that beta-blockers might be harmful in pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, no study has evaluated the effect of beta-blockers in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of beta-blockers on exercise capacity and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with portopulmonary ...

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate whether thalidomide is able to produce tumor vascular changes in patients with untreatable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that can be detected using microbubble contrast agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients with untreatable HCC underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound before and during thalidomide administration. Real-time destruction reperfusion kinetics ...

Nebivolol is a novel beta1-blocker with a greater degree of selectivity for beta1-adrenergic receptors than other agents in this class and a nitric oxide (NO)-potentiating, vasodilatory effect that is unique among beta-blockers currently available to clinicians (nebivolol is approved in Europe and is currently under review in the US). A ...

To investigate how beta-stimulation affects the contractility of cardiac muscle, x-ray diffraction from cardiac muscle in the left ventricular free wall of a mouse heart was recorded in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first x-ray diffraction study on a heart in a living body. After the R wave ...

The beta-adrenergic receptor blockers play an important role in the management of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and chronic heart failure. However, concerns regarding safety and tolerability with currently available agents can limit their use. The beta-blockers vary with regard to several pharmacologic properties, including beta1/beta2 selectivity, intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and, ...

This study presents development and behaviour of a feedback turnover model that mimics asymmetric circadian oscillations of body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate in rats. The study also includes an application to drug-induced hypothermia, tolerance and handling effects. Data were collected inn normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats, housed at 25 degrees ...

Increases in the cardiovascular risk marker microalbuminuria are attenuated by blood pressure reduction using blockers of the renin-angiotensin system. Such changes in microalbuminuria have not been observed when beta-blockers are used. A prespecified secondary end point of the Glycemic Effects in Diabetes Mellitus Carvedilol-Metoprolol Comparison in Hypertensives (GEMINI) trial was ...

BACKGROUND: Although long-term treatment with beta-blockers has been shown to improve morbidity and mortality in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), patient responses are heterogeneous. METHODS: To establish the appropriate indication for the initiation of beta-blocker therapy, we retrospectively analyzed 38 DCM patients treated with beta-blockers (metoprolol or carvedilol) and examined differences in ...

BACKGROUND: Experience with a quality improvement (QI) program undertaken to increase the use of beta-adrenergic blockade in at-risk patients at both a major academic medical center and a community hospital suggests barriers to implementation. METHODS: A retrospective and prospective cohort study was performed to establish the incidence and effectiveness of ...

Previous studies have confirmed that the phase transition of vesicular gels of hydrogenated phospholipids to the less ordered fluid vesicular state was induced by the increase of the beta-sitosterol ratio in the whole gel system and consequently in the lipid bilayer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate ...

The adaptive changes that develop in the pressure-overloaded left ventricular (LV) myocardium include cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Although the former is known to depend to a sizeable extent on sympathetic (over)activity, little information exists whether the same applies to the latter, ie, whether excess catecholamine exposure contributes to the ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive potency of impaired endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is associated with reduced FMD; the prognostic impact of this observation is unknown. METHODS: Seventy-five ambulatory CHF patients (United Network of ...

We wanted to investigate the relationship of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) to metabolic and hemodynamic cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in the general population. From a population-based sample of 2656 people 41, 51, 61, or 71 years of age, we selected 2070 patients without previous stroke or myocardial infarction ...

Myocardial delivery of genes holds great promise for treating many heart diseases; however, the optimal delivery technique, which maximizes safety and efficacy, has not been established. Two delivery techniques were evaluated in swine; percutaneous retrograde coronary venous delivery (RCVD) and direct intramyocardial injection (IM). RCVD was performed in the anterior ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential differential effects of selective endothelin (ET) A and dual ET-A/B receptor blockade in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: Nine patients with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association class II-III) each received intravenous infusions of BQ-123 alone (selective ET-A blockade) and combined BQ-123 and ...

Urotensin II (UII) is a highly conserved peptide that has potent cardiovascular actions following central and systemic administration. To determine whether the cardiovascular actions of UII are mediated via beta-adrenoceptors, we examined the effect of intravenous (IV) propranolol on the responses to intracerebroventricular (ICV) and IV administration of UII in ...